Fifteen states have now passed youth sports concussion related legislation to help prevent the long term effects of concussions from sports injuries. The NFL is encouraging all 50 states to pass legislation that could help cut down on concussions suffered by young football players.
The suicide of former NFL Chicago Bears player, Dave Duerson highlighted the issue. Duerson allegedly requested that his brain be examined for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative disease caused by repeated blows to the head that is tied to depression, dementia and suicide.
The passed legislation requirements include requiring coaches to receive annual education in concussion and head injury training, requiring school districts to develop guidelines to inform coaches, youth athletes and parents of the nature and risk of concussions and the risks assoicated with continuing to play after sustaining a concussion or head injury, and requiring that a youth athlete be removed from play until a licensed medical physician trained in concussions certifies that an athlete can resume playing.
Opposition to this legislation include costs of medical examinations, opeining coaches and sport leagues to liability for failing to remove players from participation when showing signs of concussions and making parents fearful of allowing children to play in contact sports.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
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